Volkswagen Announces Pricing and Styling Updates for the 2023 ID.4 Electric SUV, Which is Being Assembled in Tennessee

author: FutureCar Staff    

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV costs much less than Tesla's Model Y.

Volkswagen of America announced that pricing for the 2023 ID.4 electric compact SUV will start at an MSRP of $37,495, making the electric SUV much more affordable than Tesla's popular Model Y, as the ID.4 is eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit in the U.S.

The new ID.4, which is being assembled in the U.S. at Volkswagen's factory Chattanooga, Tennessee as part of the automaker's $800 million investment in U.S. EV manufacturing, is offered in three trim levels, the Standard/Pro, S and S Plus.

The ID.4 also gets some updates ahead of its launch later this year, For one, it comes with an all-new battery pack. ID.4 customers can choose from a standard 62 kWh battery, or an 82 kWh battery in models featuring a rear-wheel- or all-wheel drive setup. 

All-wheel-drive models further feature a heated windshield and a tow hitch with 2,700 lbs of towing capacity.

Other updates for the ID.4  include upgraded exterior and interior design, new aluminum-alloy wheels and an improved center console. Volskwagen says the new center console better serves the needs of American consumers. 

Every ID.4 version received subtle yet purposeful styling upgrades for the 2023 model year, according to the automakers. The updates include gloss black highlights on the front bumper, an illuminated rear VW emblem on the S models which were already equipped with the exterior premium lighting package that includes premium LED headlights with the Adaptive Front-lighting System.

Volkswagen is also offering three new wheel designs along with eight available paint options. The S models of the ID.4 now come with larger 20-inch rims. 

The entry ID.4 will be now called the "ID.4 Standard" and comes with 19" wheels. It comes with a standard 62 kWh battery delivering 208 miles of EPA estimated range, which enabled Volkswagen to lower the sticker price. The 62 kWh battery powers a single, permanent magnet synchronous motor powers the rear wheels and provides 201 horsepower.

Other standard features of the entry level models LED headlights, Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), and taillights; automatic headlights with rain-sensing wipers; advanced keyless entry; dual-zone climate control and a Discover Pro Max 12" touchscreen navigation system with voice control and 6 speaker sound system. 

Although the estimated range is on the low side, the average driver in the U.S. traveled just 39 miles per day in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. So in reality, the entry-level ID.4 Standard's seemingly low range figures should be more than adequate for most drivers.

The ID.4 Pro version comes standard with a larger 82 kWh battery that's expected to deliver an EPA estimated range of 275 miles. The ID.4 AWD Pro models add another electric motor to power the front wheels. The AWD powertrain bumps the ID.4 AWD's power output to 295 horsepower with an EPA-estimated range of 255 miles. 

Volkswagen also added  "Plug & Charge" functionality that is now standard on the ID.4. Customers purchasing an ID.4 received three years worth of complimentary 30-minute charging sessions from EV charging provider Electrify America. 

Interior Updates

The ID.4 now includes a standard 12-inch infotainment display. 

Volkswagen also made the interior more luxurious for the 2023 ID.4 models. On Standard models, the dash receives new stitching in addition to new fabric and leatherette seat side bolsters, replacing the basic cloth upholstery found in the previous model. 

This trim is available with two new interior colors, Stone or Nutmeg. The Stone color interior is paired with black and gray accents, while Nutmeg vehicles feature attractive brown hues.

On the ID.4 S models, Volkswagen now offers a leatherette seating option, which makes the interior feel a bit more upscale. Colors choices are Galaxy or Cosmic. The Galaxy vehicles are finished with black leatherette seat inserts paired with platinum gray bolsters, door inserts, and dash, with a black steering wheel and displays. 

ID.4 vehicles with the Cosmic interior are equipped with gray leatherette seat inserts matched with blue bolsters, door inserts, and dash with a white steering wheel and displays. The door panels receive additional stitching to complete the refined look. 

S Plus ID.4 models are available with heated outer rear seats.

The 2023 ID.4s also come with a long list of standard safety features. Included are Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Active Blind Spot Monitor, front and rear Park Distance Control, and automatic high beam control.

Volkswgen's new IQ.DRIVE driver assistance suite is also standard on every ID.4 model, featuring Travel Assist 2.0 with adaptive cruise control, Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Emergency Assist 3.0. 

New features for the 2023 ID.4 models include Park Assist Plus with Memory Parking and driver-initiated lane change functionality when activating the turn signal stalk.

For the other models, the ID.4 S starts at $42,495. It includes 12-way power seats with memory; heated steering wheel; panoramic fixed glass roof with electric sunshade; power tailgate and 30-color interior ambient lighting. 

The ID.4 Pro starts at $42,495, while the all-wheel-drive version starts at $46,295. Both versions support DC fast charging capability of 170kW for fast charging times. The ID.4 Pro S has an MSRP of $47,495.

The ID.4 Pro S Plus has an MSRP of $50,195 while the ID.4 AWD Pro S starts at $51,295. The top of the line ID.4 AWD Pros S Plus comes packed with features and has an MSRP of $53,995 before the federal EV tax credit of $7,500.

Destination fee on all ID.4 models is $1,295.

For comparison, Tesla's Model Y Long Range starts at $65,990 and offers 318 miles of range, which gives Volkswagen a significant price advantage over Tesla in the electric crossover and SUV segment.

FutureCar Staff